Thus our basic problems are not the inevitable outcome of “human nature,” but rather are shown to stem from deep authoritarian implants. This offers new grounds for hope. The Guru Papers powerfully attests that unmasking and decoding hidden authoritarianism can disempower it, increasing the range of human freedom and possibility. The book also elegantly argues that this process is essential for human survival.
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The Guru Papers
New Guru Papers Items
The Guru Papers E-BOOK – ON SALE NOW
NEW Articles
"The Dark Side of Spirituality: The Guru Papers Unmasks Sacred Cows!"
– Julian Walker's new review of The Guru Papers (ElephantJournal.com, 6/21/12)
"Exposing Mental Authoritarianism: How The Guru Papers Can Protect Democracy" – by Diana
"Doing Self Better - Pitfalls of Unlivable Spiritual Ideals"
by Jeffrey Rubin, Joel Kramer & Diana Alstad, (Elephant Journal and Psychology Today, 8/12)
"Sexy, Cultish Power, Yoga & Healing" – Brooks Hall's article on The Guru Papers (ElephantJournal.com, 3/3/12)
Also: New Trailers, Videos & Podcasts; Selections; Readings (in boxes below)
THE GURU PAPERS: Masks of Authoritarian Power demonstrates with uncompromising clarity that authoritarian control, which once held societies together, is now at the core of personal, social, and planetary problems, and thus a key factor in social disintegration. It illustrates how authoritarianism is embedded in the way people think, hiding in culture, values, daily life, and in the very ideals people try to live by.
The Guru Papers
by Joel Kramer & Diana Alstad
photo by Lara Hedin
View back cover (jpeg)
Book Description (pdf)
Review Excerpts (pdf)
Table of Contents (pdf)
To order book:
From the back cover:
“Easily the most comprehensive, erudite, and timely book in print to explore authoritarianism in religion, institutions, power, the family, intimacy and sexual relations, and personal problems such as addiction.... Argue[s] persuasively that any system of values that places tradition and the past above the imperative to question the present is destined to become increasingly lethal."— SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE SUNDAY BOOK REVIEW (complete review)
“Spells out…the dangers of becoming addicted to another's authority”
— LONDON TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
“A thorough, wide-ranging analysis of the way power has historically been maintained.... Purports to be no less than a diagnosis of what’s wrong with the world and how, not merely to fix it, but to save it. Its thesis is elegant and nearly unlimited in its ramifications.... authoritarianism is not merely a political phenomenon. It’s part of the way we think.”
— THE NEW MEXICAN (complete review)
“An exciting and provocative new concept about the origin and process of addiction. A must read for therapists and addiction counselors.”
— Ann McKain, past Pres. American Academy of Psychotherapists
“The potential to shift readers’ minds in a deep way….onto something big—possibly even the root of human error. It can actually change the way one views the world…. Elegantly articulates many of [our]…unformed thoughts”
— SYNAPSE (complete review)
Video and Audio Interviews
on The Guru Papers
YogiViews.com Trailers & TV interview on The Guru Papers (Joel & Diana with Antonio Sausys, 3/12):
part 1 trailer part 2 trailer complete interview (1hr)
"The Guru Papers, Addiction, & Democracy" interview with Joel & Diana on Mind, Body, Health & Politics (KZYX, 7/3/12, 1 hr Podcast)
Authoritarian dynamics in democracy - The Gary Null Show interview (Diana & Joel) 7/24/12, 15 mins - (near end of 1 hr podcast - so skip to 41:22 mark for The Guru Papers interview) Progressive Radio Network, PRN.FM
New Dimensions Radio interview with Joel & Diana
"Roping the Sacred Cows: Learning to Question Authority"
order from New Dimensions Media 1 hr; #2549 $1.99
Interview on The Guru Papers with Joel & Diana by Solarzar
- ( 3/13/10, 40 mins - interview begins after 5 minutes)
Foreign Editions & Translations
South Korea: The Guru Papers, Part 1 published by Religion and Reason - translator Miran Choo (2008)
Germany: Die Guru Papers: Masken der Macht published by "2001" - translators Dagmar Neubronner & Andreas Jonda (1995)
Russia: The Guru Papers published by Progress-Tradizia (2002)
German: “Humus fur Gurus” – book review of Die Guru Papers, (Psychologie Heute, 1995)
Italian: "Sex, Lies and Guru Ploys: Insights from The Guru Papers" by Corey Donovan – translated by Stefano Pravato, at CESAP.net
“I Quaderni del Guru: Considerazioni sull’Autoritarismo Nascosto” by Keith Harary (Omni, 1997) translated by Emanuela Fontana
French: “Abstraction & dualism” – Guru Papers excerpt translated by Johnpeter Weldon
Dutch: Guru Papers interview by Kareem van Gennip with Joel and Diana, (Bres, Jan 1997)
Spanish: “El Marxismo como Religion” by Daniel Heide (inspired by The Guru Papers)
“Los Trabajos sobre Gurus” - 1st draft of The Guru Papers, Part 1 (translated by AIS, 1989)
THE GURU PAPERS
Masks of Authoritarian Power
Joel Kramer and Diana Alstad
Masks of Authoritarian Power
Joel Kramer and Diana Alstad
North Atlantic Books, publisher
Random House, distributor: 800-733-3000
1993
Social Issues/Psychology
Trade Paper, $19.95 US
408 pages, Indexed
ISBN 1-883319-00-5
Readings about The Guru Papers
Authors' Overviews: "The Guru Papers affects people personally and also has far-reaching social implications. Although its major thesis is straightforward, it is also multi-faceted with ramifications that spread far and wide….”
How The Guru Papers Differs from other books on gurus and cults.
Decoding guru/disciple dynamics of control and surrender displays "mental authoritarianism" writ large, revealing less obvious instances of control and manipulation that occur in many contexts.
The Guru Papers Post - 9/11: “Since 9/11/2001 The Guru Papers has become ever more timely and relevant to the growing threats to democracy, women, children, and a viable world. It points to the very things currently unfolding in our increasingly unstable and polarized world….” (by the authors)
Read about our new model of addiction & critique of 12-step programs by Marsha Rosenbaum, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
Interviews with the authors
“Question Authority" in Nexus (Boulder, CO) by Ravi Dykema“A Look at Hidden Authoritarianism” in Omni by Keith Harary
Selections from The Guru Papers
Introductions
“Why Focus on Authoritarianism”
“Religion and Morality” & “Reexamining the Sacred”
Part 1: Personal Masks (on gurus)
Excerpt includes "Betrayal of Trust"
“Spiritual Hedonism” in Gurus & Sexual Manipulation
Excerpt includes "Deceit & Corruption"
Introduction to Part 2: “The Morality Wars”
Part 2: Ideological Masks
"Oneness, Enlightenment & the Mystical Experience"
-- key chapter critiquing the Oneness worldview
From the Conclusion: “Symbol Systems & Power”